textproduct: Rapid City
This forecast discussion was created in the public domain by the National Weather Service. It can be found in its original form here.
KEY MESSAGES
- More passing thunderstorms possible overnight.
- Temperatures at or below-normal, with highs in the 60s to mid 70s, through Thursday. Friday and the weekend look warmer with high temps in the 80s.
- Another round of passing showers and thunderstorms likely Wednesday into Thursday. Isolated severe storms possible on Thursday.
UPDATE
Issued at 1009 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026
Potent jet streak will advect across the region tonight and support nocturnal TS through the night across the FA, esp over western SD. Hail and gusty winds can be expected from the stronger cells. Cool front will settle south Tue and stall, shifting most of the convection south of the FA. However, some lingering instability over the hills will support some low chances for showers and an isolated TS, mainly the central and southern Hills. The next impulse will eject out of the central Rockies Tue night, supporting pos theta-e adv across the far SW. This will support chances for showers and storms into Wed morning. Unsettled westerly flow will persist into the weekend, with near daily chances for showers and storms. Potential significant severe event possible Sat as a potent jet streak and upper trough moves into the region Sat-Sun with ample deep layer moisture. Something to keep an eye on.
DISCUSSION
(This Evening Through Monday) Issued at 139 PM MDT Mon Jun 22 2026
Latest satellite imagery shows zonal, west-to-east, flow over the area. Showers, with a few brief thunderstorms, have popped up today but the atmosphere hasn't been primed well so these have been dying off quickly. That is expected to change going into the later afternoon and evening.
For later this afternoon through tonight, thunderstorm development is likely in northeast Wyoming this afternoon. Storms that develop could produce large hail and strong wind gusts. After the storms develop, they are expected to track east to southeastward through the evening. Continued storm development and propagation through the SD plains will be due to a passing cold front that will swing through from the north. Overnight thunderstorms should be below the severe thresholds but locally gusty winds with moderate to heavy rainfall is likely.
For Tuesday, the previously mentioned cold front will finish making it's way through the area, taking most of the precip chances with it. Can't rule out the short-lived shower or storm over the Black Hills during the heat of the day though. Highs tomorrow will be in the 60s to low 70s with a breezy northwest wind at around 10 to 20 mph with gusts around 25 to 30 mph.
Wednesday and Thursday, another round of passing thunderstorms is possible. Wednesday's precip would initiate farther south and drift into the CWA while Thursday's storms could initiate in the CWA. Storm mode would probably support more severe elevated storms with strong winds being the main concern for now. Still zonal flow aloft with plenty of bulk shear available. Projected CAPE values could be a little limiting in terms of widespread severe weather, but with the upslope nature of the topography and with enough wind at the mid and upper levels, a slight risk has been issue for parts northwest Wyoming and far southwest South Dakota for Thursday.
Friday and the weekend, zonal flow weakens and shifts to out of the southwest. This continues the thunderstorms chances but it looks more organized and centered around a passing upper level low from the Pacific Northwest. With this pattern change still being several days out, there is still a lot of uncertainty, but for now, the bulk of the activity looks to be to the north of the Rapid City CWA. Worth checking in for updates through the week.
AVIATION
(For the 12Z TAFS Through 12Z Wednesday Morning) Issued At 505 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026
Shra/TS will end this morning with conds trending VFR most places through morning. The only exception will be far south central SD where MVFR cigs may persist through much of the day. Isold shra are possible over the Black Hills this afternoon.
UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
SD...None. WY...None.
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